Itaúna: Reinado, Chapels and Nature

Itaúna brings together a festival tradition dating back more than two centuries with historic chapels, urban gathering places, and natural attractions. The Reinado de Nossa Senhora do Rosário is held annually; it includes Congado, processions, and prayers. This creates a distinctive mix for planning your trip: you can get to know Itaúna through its cultural history while also exploring a variety of local settings.

The Reinado: Festival and Living Tradition

The city’s oldest festival takes place in the vicinity of the Conjunto Arquitetônico do Morro do Rosário. The celebration at Igreja Nossa Senhora do Rosário brings together residents, families, communities, members of the Reinado groups, and visitors from different towns in the region. Congado, processions, and prayers give the annual festival its religious and communal dimensions. Its history stretches back more than 200 years.

The history of the Reinado also includes difficult chapters: in 1931, it was banned by order of Dom Cabral. The Congadeiros continued the tradition and built the Sede – Capela da Irmandade Sete Guardas Nossa Senhora do Rosário. It is regarded as a symbol of resistance and faith. Those interested in Itaúna’s cultural side will find here not only a festival tradition, but also a story of prohibition, perseverance, and community.

Chapels and Historical Traces

The Capela do Rosário, originally called Capela de Sant’Ana, was built between 1750 and 1765 by the municipality’s first settlers, particularly Manoel Pinto Madureira. Another chapter dates to 1853: in connection with an exchange agreement initiated by missionary preachers, the Capela do Rosário was exchanged for the small Rosário chapel. Black people had built the latter in their free time in the lower part of the city in 1840. The dates mark different stages in the history of the chapels.

The Capela do Senhor do Bonfim on Morro do Bonfim offers another historic landmark. It is about 2.5 km from the city center, and from there you can see the entire city. Access is via the MG-050 between Itaúna’s main exit and the turnoff to Pará de Minas. Gruta Nossa Senhora de Itaúna is in the Lourdes neighborhood, on Rua Sesóstres Milagres, about 1.5 km from the city center.

City Squares and Natural Attractions

Praça Dr. Augusto Gonçalves is an important meeting place in Itaúna. Lush trees provide shade, while the street furniture makes the square a welcoming place to socialize. In this way, the square complements the historic churches by offering a different perspective on urban life. This distinction can also be useful when looking for a vacation rental: Praça Dr. Augusto Gonçalves is a city gathering place, while Morro do Bonfim and the Gruta are associated with specific, named locations. At about 1.5 km from the center, the Gruta is closer than the Capela do Senhor do Bonfim, which is about 2.5 km away.

Another side of Itaúna can be found at Estância Mineral Água Viva, near the Barragem do Benfica. Its features include hiking trails, wooded areas, the Olhos d’Água spring, and a natural pool filled with mineral water. The Barragem do Benfica holds 40 million cubic meters of water. Alongside cultural and urban attractions, these natural features can also be a focus for your trip. When choosing a vacation rental, consider which of these locations matters most to your stay.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Itacarambi, Uberaba, Ouro Preto, Senador Amaral, Lima Duarte, Maria da Fé, João Monlevade, Bom Despacho.

For the broader travel overview: Minas Gerais.